Tazarotenic acid and esters thereof for treating autism

Abstract

This invention provides a method of treating autism comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a compound selected from the group consisting of tazarotenic acid, or ester or salt, thereof, to a person in need of such treatment. Preferably said compound is tazarotene.

1 . A method of treating autism comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a compound selected from the group consisting of tazarotenic acid, or ester or salt, thereof, to a person in need of such treatment.  
   
   
       2 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein said compound is tazarotene.  
   
   
       3 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein said compound is administered orally.  
   
   
       4 . The method according to  claim 1  comprising rectally administering said compound in the form of a suppository.  
   
   
       5 . The method according to  claim 1  comprising parenterally administering said compound.  
   
   
       6 . The method according to  claim 5  wherein said parenteral administration comprises transdermal application of said compound and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.  
   
   
       7 . The method according to  claim 6  wherein said parenteral administration comprises sublingual application of said compound.  
   
   
       8 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein said compound is administered to a child in need of such treatment.  
   
   
       9 . The method according to  claim 1  comprising administering said compound at least once a day to obtain a maximum blood concentration of greater than 30 ng per ml.  
   
   
       10 . The method according to  claim 1  comprising administering said compound by site-selective injection into the eye of a slow release formulation comprising said compound incorporated in a bioerodible polymer.  
   
   
       11 . A method of reducing the symptoms of autism in a human patient, comprising orally administering to the patient a composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a compound selected from the group consisting of tazarotenic acid, or ester or salt, thereof, and at least one of the group consisting of a physiologically acceptable carrier, adjuvant, excipient, buffer and diluent, wherein the composition is able to decrease the incidence of one or more symptoms of autism selected from the group of symptoms consisting of eye contact avoidance, failure to socialize, attention deficit, poor mood, hyperactivity, anxiety, poor comprehension, inappropriate speech, abnormal sound sensitivity, poor digestion, disrupted sleep, and perseveration, and wherein the decreased incidence is measured relative to the incidence in the untreated individual.  
   
   
       12 . The method according to  claim 11  wherein said compound is tazarotene.  
   
   
       13 . The method according to  claim 11  wherein said compound is administered orally.  
   
   
       14 . The method according to  claim 11  comprising rectally administering said compound in the form of a suppository.  
   
   
       15 . The method according to  claim 11  comprising parenterally administering said compound.  
   
   
       16 . The method according to  claim 15  wherein said parenteral administration comprises transdermal application of said compound.  
   
   
       17 . The method according to  claim 16  wherein said parenteral administration comprises sublingual application of said compound.  
   
   
       18 . The method according to  claim 11  wherein said compound is administered to a child in need of such treatment.  
   
   
       19 . The method according to  claim 11  comprising administering said compound at least once a day to obtain a maximum blood concentration of greater than 30 ng per ml.  
   
   
       20 . The method according to  claim 11  comprising administering said compound by site-selective injection into the eye of a slow release formulation comprising said compound incorporated in a bioerodible polymer.  
   
   
       21 . A method of manufacturing a medicament able to reduce the symptoms of autism in a human patient, comprising combining a therapeutically-effective amount of a compound selected from the group consisting of tazarotene acid, or ester or salt, thereof, and at least one of the group consisting of a physiologically acceptable carrier, adjuvant, excipient, buffer and diluent, wherein the composition is able to decrease the incidence of one or more symptoms of autism selected from the group of symptoms consisting of eye contact avoidance, failure to socialize, attention deficit, poor mood, hyperactivity, anxiety, poor comprehension, inappropriate speech, abnormal sound sensitivity, poor digestion, disrupted sleep, and perseveration, and wherein the composition is suitable for oral administration and the decreased incidence is measured relative to the incidence in the untreated individual.